Bugisu Cultural Institution responds to Hon. Simon Mulongo and Engineer Sakwa

Mbale: The Bugisu Cultural Institution (Inzu Ya Masaba), through its Spokesperson Mr. Stephen Masiga, has issued a firm response to recent comments made by Hon. Simon Mulongo and Hon. Engineer Sakwa regarding the legitimacy of the title Umukuuka wa Bugisu, the identity of the Bagisu/Bamasaaba people, and the role of government in recognising cultural leaders.

1. Allegations Against the Minister of Gender

Mr. Masiga dismissed claims that the Minister of Gender exceeded her authority by gazetting Umukuuka Sir Jude Mike Mudoma in April 2025. He cited Article 246(1) & (3)(f) of the 1995 Constitution and Sections 3 and 6 of the Institution of Traditional or Cultural Leaders Act, 2011

These laws empower the Minister to act upon the wishes of the people, as expressed through their cultural structures. The gazetting was therefore legal, constitutional, and valid.

2. Identity: “Bugisu” vs. “Bamasaaba”

Masiga addressed concerns about the term “Bugisu” being a colonial misnomer; the Third Schedule of the Constitution officially lists the Bagisu among Uganda’s indigenous tribes and the Constitution remains supreme (Article 2), meaning the name Bugisu holds legal recognition.

Changing this would require a constitutional amendment, not political rhetoric.

3. Legitimacy of the Umukuuka

Masiga emphasized that His Highness Jude Mike Mudoma was duly selected by the 26 clan structures of Bugisu, lawfully gazetted by the Minister and acting in accordance with Section 3(2) of the 2011 Act, which allows communities to determine their leadership based on custom and tradition.

There is no legal requirement for the office of Umukuuka to be elective or rotational unless the community itself decides so.

4. The Babukusu Question

Responding to claims that the Babukusu are separate and should not be included under Bugisu’s cultural leadership; Masiga cited Article 37, which gives every citizen the right to belong to any cultural group, the Babukusu, though listed as a separate indigenous group, share deep cultural ties with the Bamasaaba and their voluntary alignment with Bugisu culture is both lawful and constitutional.

5. Promoting Unity, Not Division

Masiga criticized the actions of Hon. Mulongo and Engineer Sakwa, calling their statements divisive and misleading. He reaffirmed that:

“The Umukuuka has been actively promoting unity, culture, and youth empowerment, unlike these efforts that sow disunity.”

He also noted that Engineer Sakwa’s arguments had previously been rejected by courts for lacking merit.

6. Legal and Cultural Position

Mr. Masiga concluded with the following affirmations the Minister’s April 2025 notice was fully constitutional and valid, Sir Jude Mike Mudoma remains the legitimate Umukuuka, the name Bugisu is protected under the Constitution and attempts to delegitimize the leadership or rename the institution lack legal foundation.

Final Remarks

Masiga urged all Bamasaaba/Bagisu to reject divisive rhetoric and instead focus on unity, cultural preservation, and development.

“Let us not be derailed by recycled arguments and political comebacks disguised as cultural debates.” said Stephen Masiga

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